Archaeologists in Cyprus have completed a highly successful first excavation season at the prehistoric Chalcolithic settlement of Erimi Pamboula, uncovering the floor of a major structure and, most significantly, a partially preserved, rare cruciform figurine made of picrolite.
The excavation, which took place in July 2025, was led by a team from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) under the direction of Professor Giorgos Vavouranakis. The mission is set to redefine the chronological understanding of the site, which flourished between 3500-2900 BC.
Key finds at Cyprus’s prehistoric settlement
The NKUA team focused its work near the original excavations by Porphyrios Dikaios, with the goal of establishing a clear stratigraphic sequence. The effort immediately paid off with several key discoveries:
Architectural remains: The team unearthed the well-preserved floor of a house, complete with a built platform and a storage pit. They also located the wall of a second, round building, and part of a rectilinear feature.
The cruciform figurine: Among the most significant finds is a partially preserved cruciform figurine—a distinctive and highly prized form of Neolithic and Chalcolithic Cypriot art—made from picrolite. This find, along with other picrolite jewelry and raw material, underscores the importance of Erimi Pamboula as a possible center for craft production.
Late Chalcolithic evidence: The layers above the main structures yielded monochrome pottery sherds characteristic of the Late Chalcolithic period. This is critical evidence, indicating continued human activity at the settlement well into the first half of the 3rd millennium BC.
Related: Mysterious Vounous Bowl Found in Cyprus Offers Glimpse into Bronze Age Rituals
Insights into daily life
The site provided a wealth of movable finds that offer a window into ancient life, including:
- Tool and craft: Archaeologists recovered numerous ground stone tools (axes, adzes, querns) and chipped stone scrapers.
- Diet and economy: Significant quantities of animal bones, predominantly deer, were discovered, including a pit containing burnt deer bones and antler parts, suggesting specific processing or ritual activities.
- Pottery: The thousands of pottery sherds include many pieces decorated with the distinctive Red-on-White technique, a hallmark of the period.
The successful season was a collaborative effort, involving experts from the NKUA, the Freie Universität Berlin, the Université de Strasbourg, and archaeologists from Cyprus. The mission also integrated an Erasmus educational program with The Cyprus Institute, whose Associate Professor of Environmental Archaeology, Evi Margaritis, and her team provided crucial environmental analysis.
The Department of Antiquities, Deputy Ministry of Culture, praised the results of the inaugural season, which is set to significantly enrich the existing knowledge base for this critical Cypriot prehistoric settlement.
Related: Choirokoitia: Cyprus’ 9,000-Year-Old Neolithic Round-House Settlement
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